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China to civil servants: Get on the bus

The Associated Press

Posted:
07/16/2014 06:04:43 AM CDT

Updated:
07/16/2014 06:04:43 AM CDT

BEIJING (AP) — China is telling thousands of civil servants to give up their Audis and get on the bus.

State media reported Wednesday that most Chinese officials must sell their government vehicles in return for up to $210 a month in public transportation aid. The officials will also have to help their drivers find another job.

The car ban is the latest move in a government campaign to mollify public frustration at extravagance by officials, who have had to rein in spending on banquets, cigarettes and private jet travel.

The official Xinhua News Agency acknowledged that public mood, saying many officials have wasted public money by using their government vehicles for private purposes.

The new rules won't apply to special services such as law enforcement and emergency relief.